Positives in 56-20 loss to LSU will be lost amidst two years of misery
Arkansas freshman K.J. Jefferson got his start Saturday night, but if nothing else we now know he’s not ready to compete against the best teams in the SEC West … and may not be next year.
That’s not to say it’s his fault the Razorbacks lost, 56-20. The fact he became the seventh starting quarterback in the last 23 games speaks volumes by itself.
There has been zero quarterback coaching at the level required to play in this league and that’s what Jefferson can’t overcome with his immense raw talent.
The Hogs probably exceeded the expectations of many by staying close to LSU for a quarter, but then snapped back into form with an interim coach and a quarterback that resembled a deer caught in the headlights of a truck.
By the start of the fourth quarter, the Razorbacks gave up and went through the motions … until walk-on holder Jack Lindsey came in.
He immediately ripped off a 30-yard run on his first play, making a correct midline option read and running through a gaping hole and getting out of bounds before the posse caught up to him.
We’ve heard for two years now how Lindsey knew the offense better than any of the other quarterbacks. Offensive coordinator Joe Craddock has admitted he’s had to tell Lindsey to quit answering his questions in the position room so somebody else could answer.
There probably won’t be an answer to why it’s taken this long to see him in a game.
Everything in this game showed exactly why Chad Morris was fired and most of this coaching staff will be gone in a few weeks.
Jefferson started and made some pretty bad freshman mistakes. Things like stepping out of bounds a yard short of a first down, coming up a yard short on an unforced slide, not picking up blitzes and things that can be fixed, but clues that it won’t be easy.
Several years of poor recruiting choices combined with a lack of development and a lack of discipline maybe have never been on display as vividly as against the Tigers.
Yes, the loss to the Tigers showed why this team is looking for a coach and it may be harder to find one than you’d think.
ESPN announcers Greg McElroy and Dave Pasch making the point pretty obvious that maybe Morris got yanked too early shows why national guys have no clue what they’re talking about half the time.
He was fired because there has been zero progress for two seasons, particularly at the quarterback position and this team lost any respect they had for him as a coach.
McElroy, who I really like, threw out Lane Kiffin as his choice to be the next coach and even dropped Mike Leach’s name.
Both may look at the Arkansas job and figure they’ve already got a better one with less pressure and a better chance to win.
Yes, things have fallen that far.
Whether fans want to admit it or not, this program is in a death spiral that may not have hit bottom yet. There’s still room to go downward.
Don’t believe it? This program is not even in the top 100 in winning percentage in all of college football over the last eight seasons.
Think about that for a second.
A program that was in the top 10 in winning percentage from the time Frank Broyles arrived in 1958 until they went to the SEC has fallen probably farther than he envisioned when he saw the old Southwest Conference falling apart in 1990.
Judging this team by what happened against an LSU team that was playing for a spot in Atlanta probably isn’t a true gauge of where it’s at, but it is a starting point.
Maybe Missouri will be a better test to see what Jefferson and the rest of the team is capable of.
That will come Friday in War Memorial Stadium.
And you could tell by the end of the third quarter Barry Lunney, Jr., was aware of the short turnaround and started pouring reserves into the game against LSU’s starters, who were still in the game for some strange reason.
There were some positives in the game. The offense sustained drives, dominated the time of possession (40:54-19:06) and managed over 300 yards of offense. Sure, the defense gave up over 600 yards to a Heisman-type quarterback in Joe Burrow, but did get some three-and-outs in the first quarter.
The Hogs weren’t blown out by midway in the second quarter like they had been the previous few weeks by much lesser teams than LSU.
Most of those positives will be buried, though.
Which is what happens with so many problems the past couple of years.
KNWA VIDEO: Boyd on offense’s struggles in loss to No. 1 Tigers
PHOTO COURTESY OF KNWA
Razorbacks running back Rakeem Boyd talked with the media after the 56-20 loss to LSU on Saturday night about the problems they had early against top-ranked LSU.
KNWA VIDEO: Curl on defense’s play early in loss to Tigers
VIDEO COURTESY OF KNWA
Arkansas defensive back Kamren Curl talked with the media after the 56-20 loss to LSU on Saturday night about how they came back strong after the defense’s solid play starting the game.
KNWA VIDEO: Harris says Hogs ‘let it slip away’ in second period of loss
VIDEO COURTESY OF KNWA
Hogs linebacker De’Jon Harris said after the game they started with a lot of energy, but let things get away from them in the second quarter of 56-20 loss to No. 1 LSU on Saturday night.
GAME THREAD: Lindsey directs Hogs to pair of late scores in loss to LSU
Walk-on Jack Lindsey came into the game in the fourth quarter and guided Arkansas to a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, but it was far too little way too late as LSU punched a ticket to the SEC Championship Game with a 56-20 win.
Don’t look for a repeat of 2007 win in Baton Rouge when Hogs meet LSU
Friday, 23 November 2007. Houston Nutt led Darren McFadden and the Arkansas Razorbacks into Baton Rouge to face the BCS No. 1-ranked LSU Tigers for Nutt’s last game as head coach.
The result: Arkansas upset the Tigers and (what many thought at the time) their chances for a national championship.
Saturday, 23 November 2019. Barry Lunney, Jr. will lead Rakeem Boyd and the Arkansas Razorbacks for Lunney’s first game as interim head coach into Baton Rouge to face the BCS #1 ranked LSU Tigers.
The result: Looming, but do not expect a familiar sensation as from the first listed episode.
LSU is 10–0, including a close victory against Alabama in Tuscaloosa. What’s worse is LSU looked very solid in the first half building a big lead against the Crimson Tide.
There are positives however.
One is LSU’s defense has had its issues at times this season, and this week they are down two starters in safety Grant Delpit and right tackle Austin Deculus. Freshman Maurice Hampton and senior Badara Traore are expected to take their respective spots.
Another is LSU has had difficulty defending running quarterbacks, and if KJ Jefferson receives the nod from Lunney to either start the game or to play significant time off the bench, the freshman could see solid gains in ground yardage. He could be a big threat with and a compliment to Rakeem Boyd and Devwah Whaley.
A third could be a newfound enthusiasm from the players due to the introduction of Lunney as the interim head coach. LSU fans are familiar with the concept when they fired Les Miles in 2016 and Ed Orgeron announced he was going to “flip the script”, leading the Tigers to a successful season with only eight-games remaining.
For every positive there is usually a counterpoint negative. The above points possess no exception.
LSU’s defense may have its issues, but Arkansas’s offense has not shown any spark against any level of defense, including Portland State, San Jose State, and Western Kentucky. So a “less than standard” Tigers defense would be far more competitive than the aforementioned Razorbacks’ 2019 opponents.
KJ is young and inexperienced. Even if the offensive line is able to play their best game of the season, Jefferson’s inexperience against an SEC defense could leave him vulnerable to injury. Let us not also forget the LSU secondary is not just going to allow him nor John Stephen Jones to complete many passes in an effort to open up the running game.
Lunney has made changes in his short two-weeks running the Razorbacks Football program.
Unfortunately he also only has two weeks left, and even though Arkansas fans abroad have taken solace in the dismissal of Chad Morris, with the season being a total 2–8 washout, we also know it is far too late in the season for Lunney to mastermind any kind of revolution which will lead us to victory … against LSU … who is ranked No. 1 …. and playing in Death Valley.
Positives or negatives, from the perspective of Hogs fans, which will be the dominate force?
I think we all know the answer, and so does Vegas with their historic mid-40’s point-spread.
LSU 44, Arkansas 10
If it’s any consolation, the CBS broadcast of the 2007 upset indubitably sparked LSU’s desire to end its traditional Friday after Thanksgiving match-up with the Hogs. Somebody upload THAT to Wikipedia.
You can listen to the game right here on HitThatLine.com if you live in the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas or over the air at ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
The HTL Weekly Pick Contest is wrapping up. I’ve tried a new strategy as of late and that is not looking at the standings to avoid any drastic picks in hopes of making a move on Andy Hodges’s lead.
So, with my best deductions, here we go … again:
Western Carolina at (5) Alabama: I am curious if any of the Catamount faithful have pondered “With Tua out and Mac Jones at quarterback we have a chance to win this game.” No, outside of Duke fans, Carolina people are pretty sensible. Saban might normally consider resting some of his starters, but he knows he needs to light up the scoreboard for BCS purposes. Bama by 52.
Samford at (15) Auburn: Two super competitive games being played in the state of Alabama at the same time?!?! Crazy. Tigers by 30.
Texas A&M at (4) Georgia [GAME OF THE WEEK]: It’s ALMOST hard to believe this is the first time these two have matched up against one another since the Aggies joined the SEC in 2012. Georgia is on a mission and A&M poses only a mid-level thread. Bulldogs by 18.
Tennessee-Martin at Kentucky: Which Kentucky team will show up? Correction. Which Kentucky quarterback will show up? [My apologies. I simply cannot let our loss to them go. Wildcats by 20.
East Tennessee State at Vanderbilt: The Buccaneers travel to the friendly fields of Vanderbilt Stadium. The Commodores smell blood at the chance for a late season victory. Vandy by 24.
Arkansas at LSU: Come on, Hogs, surprise us. Tigers by 34.
Abilene Christian at Mississippi State: Scheduling must have been a tough task for the MSU administration a couple of years ago. The Christians had better be getting paid. Bulldogs by 48.
Tennessee at Missouri: This could be the closest game on the schedule. Both have matching 5 – 5 records and thus the winner becomes bowl eligible. I think Missouri has the advantage at home, but I could be surprised. Tigers by 5.
Find me on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS
Go HOGS!!!
Razorbacks looking for any positives while fans looking for new coach
Ed Orgeron can’t win Saturday night and he knows it while Barry Lunney, Jr., can’t lose, but he knows any positives makes him a winner while Arkansas fans are more worried about who is going to be the new coach.
Relax. Nobody knows who the new coach is going to be for the Razorbacks.
For LSU tonight it’ll be Lunney.
You can listen to the game right here on HitThatLine.com if you live in the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas or over the air at ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
Arkansas GameDay starts at 1 p.m. with the Hogs’ broadcast starting at 3 p.m. ahead of the 6 p.m. kickoff.
One positive thing about Hunter Yurachek is he’s basically plugged up leaks coming in the search and the only thing that’s really come out lately is Memphis’ Mike Norvell is apparently more interested in the Florida State job than coming to Fayetteville.
It’s highly doubtful this job is the hot commodity fans are trying to convince themselves it is, as I pointed out on Friday.
Lunney got appointed as the interim coach when Yurachek finally threw in the towel on an 18-game tenure that was continuing to show each week how everybody tried an experiment with a coach who ultimately couldn’t even handle the basic press conference like an SEC coach.
You won’t hear from this corner that Morris took a team that should be contending for the SEC West title and managed to coach them to a 4-18 record.
The Hogs should have won six last season and be sitting on at least seven right now.
You wonder now if Morris actually lost the team after his first game when a starter went into the transfer portal and upperclassmen basically lost interest.
New coaches have to show some form of improvement and the only thing that improved was Morris’ complete inability to coach at the SEC level. He was about perfect in that, being unable to prepare, motivate or develop players.
About the only positive thing he managed to do was set up the next coach with some pretty good players on campus with 17 redshirt freshmen coming back from one of the better recruiting classes in recent years.
Lunney will get to play a lot of those guys against LSU on Saturday night.
But they won’t be enough to win. I’m not even sure they’re enough to still be within a range to keep the Tigers’ starters in the game in the second half.
They might be able to stay within the spread, however, which is a whopping 42.5 points at the ESPN Pick Center.
While he refused to say it, Lunney will likely start freshman K.J. Jefferson at quarterback, making it a full seven different starters behind center over the last two years.
Morris couldn’t make up his mind at the most important position on the field, so Yurachek took away that torment for him.
If Jefferson manages anything offensively early against a top-ranked LSU team that’s weak point is the defense. Yeah, I’m as surprised to type that as you are to read it.
This may be like the Alabama game in 2018. The Hogs put up the most amount of yards and points on Crimson Tide before they were demolished in the national title game.
Orgeron will get no credit from the fans or the college football playoff committee for this game, regardless of the score.
LSU 58, Arkansas 34
Easy pickings
Alabama over Western Carolina, Auburn over Samford, Kentucky over Tennessee-Martin, Vanderbilt over East Tennessee State and Mississippi State over Abilene Christian.
Seriously, you still think playing nine SEC games in a year is ridiculous when you look at that lineup of games?
Texas A&M at Georgia (-13)
Jimbo Fisher is in his second season in College Station and things are not going as planned.
Being a 13-point underdog is not what the Aggies faithful had in mind when they committed $75 million to Fisher last year.
This was almost in the Easy Pickings category, but then this whole exercise would have been far too short.
Look for the Bulldogs to cover in this game, mainly because they didn’t have a particularly good game against Auburn in last week’s win.
Georgia 31, Texas A&M 10
Tennessee at Misouri (-3.5)
No, seriously, the Tigers are favored at home in this one, which means the general public hasn’t accepted that the Vols are improving every week while Mizzou is positioning for a season-ending pillow fight in War Memorial Stadium.
For a team that’s not eligible to go to a bowl game this season, if they can get up for this game there might be a different outcome, but I think they have cratered for the year.
Tennessee has made rapid improvement this year … in the second year of the Jeremy Pruitt coaching tenure.
They keep getting better.
Tennessee 28, Missouri 14
Talking with LSU superfan before Arkansas’ matchup in Baton Rouge tonight
Superfans. Every sports team on every level has them.
I have experienced opportunities to visit with several of the most faithful from countless high school, college, and professional teams throughout the years. None stood out quite like Matt Breland.
Mr. Breland may not physically bleed LSU purple and gold; however, I can say without a doubt if he could find a way dye the color of his hemoglobin to match his favorite team he would do it sans hesitation.
Therefore, what better time than Arkansas’ trip to LSU to perform my annual visit to a man who lives in the heart of Louisiana and obtain his take on the college football season to this point?
Quick preface: if you knew Matt personally, I can assure you might hate LSU just a little bit less … possibly.
Peter: Matt, thank you for having me. Before we begin, I see you have a Mike the Tiger headgear in your office. Is this the same one Lee Corso used on College Gameday?
Matt: I ripped it directly off his head and ran with it.
Peter: Should I fear a raid? Two weeks ago, LSU knocked off Alabama in Tuscaloosa by a close 46–41, thanks primarily to a big early lead. Were you astonished how well LSU played Alabama, especially in the first half?
Matt: Yes, I was surprised that LSU beat Alabama, even more so by the performances of both teams in the first half. Evan then I knew it would still be a close game. The LSU offense dominated the entire game except for the third quarter, but our defense did not play well, particularly in the second half.
Peter: A lot of people forget a young Ed Orgeron planted his roots in coaching as an assistant strength coach at Arkansas. Since that time, he has completed stints at a small number of schools including Miami, Syracuse, USC, and Ole Miss (as head coach). He even spent a year coaching an NFL defensive line in New Orleans. After Les Miles was fired in late September 2016, LSU named Orgeron was named prior to him being given the full title and privilege prior to the bowl game. Did Tigers fans have expectations of him leading your team to contending for a national championship at that time?
Matt: Probably not many. In fact, early in this season, I am certain only a small number thought Ed Orgeron would be leading LSU to accomplish what they have thus far. However, after LSU beat Texas, Florida, Auburn, and (particularly) Alabama, most fans now feel the Tigers will be contenders in the playoffs.
Peter: Is LSU the team to beat?
Matt: Of course, but there are other teams which are very capable of winning it all.
Peter: The spread for Saturday’s game has been fluctuating in the mid-40’s. It’s well-known this is a historic number for an SEC spread. If you were a gambling man, and I was giving you Arkansas +44 points, how much would you wager?
Matt: I would wager about $100 as I think the final score will be LSU 38, Arkansas 10. It all depends on how LSU’s defense plays.
Peter: So not only are you a high roller, you’re a big follower of the SEC. What are your thoughts on Arkansas firing Chad Morris with two games left in the season of his second year?
Matt: I believe they made the right decision to fire Coach Morris. For the quickest turnaround (and any chance of ever beating us), Arkansas would need to hire a big-time coach like Nick Saban, but we know that will not happen. Mike Leach would be good candidate for the job.
Peter: Arkansas has an interim coach for Saturday’s game in Death Valley. How much motivation would it take for him to have the Razorbacks keep this game competitive? Remember Orgeron’s “flip the script” approach?
Matt: I have to think Arkansas will not have much motivation since it is late in the season, but they could use this to their advantage.
Peter: Great answer. Who carries the Golden Boot back to their campus this Saturday? Why and by how much?
Matt: Joe Burrow (who is my favorite candidate for the Heisman trophy) will carry the Golden Boot back to LSU’s campus. The Tigers will win by 30-points.
Peter: There’s a hint of the Tiger arrogance for which people admire you. Bonus Question, Matt: Any fear Arkansas can knock LSU out of the #1 spot a second time?
Matt: No fear. LSU has the best quarterback and will score a lot of points in the first half. I say there is zero chance Arkansas can knock out #1 LSU.
Peter: Thanks for the confidence boost. Why are we friends again?
Matt: Because you owe me money.
Peter: Well, this is definitely all the time I have for today. Thank you for your great conversation, Mr. Breland. I always enjoy them. God Bless, best wishes, and may you have SOME luck on Saturday. Good day.
Matt: Thank you. You as well. Geaux Ti–
Peter: I said “good day.”
Be sure to listen to the game at 6 p.m. via HitThatLine.com, and on the air at ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
Find me on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS
Oh, Matt, before you leave…. Go HOGS!!!
Musselman pleased with win, but 3-point shooting concerns; preview Georgia Tech
Razorbacks coach Eric Musselman said they have to improve their 3-point shooting, especially going on the road against Georgia Tech on Monday night.
